In this episode I speak with Stéfanie Lacroix. Stef is a Staff Attorney in Immigration Equality’s Pro Bono Program. In this role, she represents immigrants seeking asylum and she provides mentorship for over 170 immigration cases placed with law firms nationwide through Immigration Equality’s pro bono program.
In this episode you hear Stef and I speak about the hardships and realities that LGBTQIA+ people from all over the world face when they are seeking asylum in the United States. We hear about the shifting legal frameworks that have affected the rights of asylum seekers, and have affected the avenues that lawyers have as they work to secure their asylum, but we also hear about some of the human stories of seeking asylum that Stef has worked in throughout her career as a staff attorney.
We also hear about how religion operates in the sort of “background” of the legal system and social structures. It is not always in the front and centre of people’s mind when they seek asylum, nor is religion always an explicit root cause of social injustice or violence that LGBTQ+ people experience. This episode explores that, and more, pertaining to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.
Resources:
www.Immigrationequality.org
www. Rainbowrailroad.org
www.volunteerottawa.ca
Permissions:
The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.
LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers | Stéfanie Lacroix